Musically, the sound of The Moon Is Down has been described as emo and indie rock with heavier elements. The opening track "The Moon Is Down" sees the group worship God for his strength and supporting them when faltering. "Snowbirds and Townies" talks about missing a girl that has been away from some time. "Pictures of Shorelines" talks about a couple forced to stay apart.
Release
The Moon Is Down was released through Tooth & Nail Records on March 27, 2001. In February 2002, the group went on an east coast tour, before supporting Hot Rod Circuit on a two-month US tour in March and April. Six of the album's tracks – the title-track, "Snowbirds and Townies", "The Bradley", "New Year's Project", "Wearing Thin" and "Pictures of Shorelines", as well as "Vengeance Factor" – later appeared on the group's compilation albumHope This Finds You Well.
Reception
Christianity Today included the album as an honorable mention on their best Christian albums of the year list. Jesus Freak Hideout ranked it at number 36 on their list of the top 100 Tooth & Nail releases. AllMusic reviewer Rick Anderson said it "kind of sneaks up on you", expecting another emo act with reflective feelings but lacking the attitude to craft a song with structure, until the first chorus comes: "Cathartic, tuneful, soaring". While the "conceit remains pretty much the same", he doesn't find it "tiresome". He praised the group's "ability to combine relatively dense guitar rock with an edge of experimentalism and a deep undertow of emotional uplift" that is "more than just impressive — it's practically inspiring." Cross Rhythms writer James Stafford said there was "intensity" to the band's sound, and Carrabba's voice "really bring this out." He called them a "talented" act for "drawing on elements of rock, punk, hardcore" to craft "quite a good melodic rock album." Christianity Today Russ Breimeier said emo's " propensity for passion and emotion fits well" with Carrabba's lyricism. He complimented the band's "solid musicianship", particularly the "strong, in-your-face" guitar work and "slick, aggressive drumming that assaults your ears like a machine gun." Portland State Vanguard said it had some " mildly mathematical compositions" with an "emotional delivery of emotional lyrics I can’t always make out". They noted the "breakdowns and buildups, big unified rhythms highlighted by the drummer’s movement around the tom toms." Jesus Freak Hideout staff member Sherwin Frias said upon his first listen to the album, it came across as "rather unremarkable", while noting its " melodic, yet hardly gripping" sound. It is ultimately "a pleasant, yet hardly engaging listen that passes by quickly without much of a fuss." Nathan T. Birk of Ink 19 wrote that it had a "time-tested formula for catharsis", noting the "sing-songy melodies", the frequent "half-time/down-tempo transitions", and Carrabba's "Geddy Lee-via-Jeremy Enigk elfin yelp that lets you know that, hey, he’s a sensitive guy." He pondering on the topic of originality: "Hardly, unless your conception of “originality” includes such latter-day emo-casualties" by the likes of Mineral and Boys Life.
Track listing
All songs written by Further Seems Forever except where indicated
